Do Kids Need Dental Implants?

Most children do not get dental implants while their jaws are still growing. An implant fuses to bone, so it does not move along with a growing jaw. A dentist evaluates growth and the individual situation before discussing replacement options.

Why dentists usually wait

Dental implants are anchored in bone. Reviews of the clinical literature describe a risk that an implant will remain fixed while the surrounding jaw and teeth continue to develop. Read the 2023 systematic-review quality assessment and the archived AAPD publication on implants in growing patients.

Jaw growth often reaches maturity in the late teenage years or later, but age alone does not determine readiness. Your dentist may use an examination and imaging to assess the situation rather than applying one universal cutoff.

What can happen while the jaw grows?

Depending on the child's needs, a dentist may discuss options such as a space maintainer, a removable partial denture, or a bonded bridge. These are general treatment categories, not a recommendation for a particular child. Research on space maintainers and removable partial dentures describes how clinicians may use interim approaches.

Early tooth loss can affect chewing, speech, arch integrity, and quality of life. The appropriate interim plan depends on the child's age, development, the missing tooth, and the findings from an examination.

Are there exceptions?

Rare cases involving severe congenital absence of teeth may be managed differently under specialist care. A 2025 systematic review of children with ectodermal dysplasia describes this as a specialized situation, not a routine option for children.

Questions to bring to a dental visit

• Has jaw growth likely finished, and how will that be assessed?
• What options could preserve space or function while growth continues?
• Would another dental specialist need to be involved?
• What should we watch for if the tooth was lost recently?